ROBOTICALLY ASSISTED LAUNCH/CAPTURE PLATFORM FOR AN UNMANNED AIR VEHICLE

An embodiment of the invention is directed to a platform for launching and/or capturing an unmanned air vehicle (UAV), particularly a small UAV. The launch/capture platform includes a frame, a floor attached to the frame that is capable of supporting the UAV, means for acquiring and tracking the UAV in flight, a connector and a connector controller, connecting the platform to an external support structure, providing a controllable, adaptive motion of the platform in response to approaching UAV position and attitude, means for launching the UAV from the platform and for capturing an in-flight UAV to the platform, and means for locking down the UAV between the capture and launch of the UAV. Another embodiment of the invention directed to a method for capturing a small, in-flight UAV involves providing a UAV capture platform, providing a UAV capturing means as an integrated component of the platform, providing means for determining in real-time the relative location of an engaging portion of the capturing means with respect to an approaching in-flight UAV, providing means for automatically maneuvering the engaging portion of the capturing means with respect to at least one of a position and an attitude of the approaching in-flight UAV, capturing the UAV, and securing the captured UAV to the capture platform. Una plataforma para el lanzamiento y/o la captura de una aeronave o vehículo aéreo no tripulado (UAV - "unmanned air vehicle"), particularmente un UAV pequeño. La plataforma de lanzamiento/captura incluye un bastidor, un suelo asegurado al bastidor que es capaz de soportar el UAV y medios para captar y realizar un seguimiento del UAV en vuelo. Un brazo robótico maniobra la plataforma y facilita la captura del UAV que se aproxima. La plataforma responde a la información sobre la posición relativa proporcionada por el UAV, y es capaz de mover los medios de captura a la posición y altitud del UAV que se aproxima. El UAV capturado puede asegurarse en la plataforma o lanzarse desde la misma.